Selector for automatic phonographs



r'1 9 mo M. w. KENNEY ET AL SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov; 4, 1944 Ma-Mm W Kzm Herman G Jensen INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug 14, 1945. M. w. KENNEY ET AL SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Nov. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mai/mil [2 122269 $117127: 6? Jmsezz INVENTORS ATTORNEY 14, 1945' M. w. KENNEY ET AL SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGR APHS Filed Nov. 4,

1944 4 Sheds-Sheet 5 Herman Q Jens Q IN V EN TOR.

AT ORA/15') Ma/zlon W [@1028 7 w u 1 F A, W 9 TILL v. g i 91 r L W 11 L /4.1 H mW fimfim N .1 m M 0 1 3 77 Pu IIUFII 8- 1945' M. w. KENNEY ET All SELECTOR FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 4, 1944 Malzlwz Wffmzey Herman G Jensen INVENTORS &4

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1945 SELECTOR. FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGBAI'HS Mahlon W. Kenney, Oak Park, and Herman G. Jensen, Chicago, Ill., assignors to J. P. Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 4, 1944, Serial No. 561,986

21 Claims.

This invention relates to selectors for automatic phonographs in which one or more recordings can be selected for playing seriatim.

In our copending application Ser. No. 505,776,

- filed October 11, 1943, we have described and claimed a selector adapted to be operated to select a recording by means of two series of impulses. Thus with one hundred selecting bars the first train of impulses determines the decade and the second train of impulses determines the unit for any desired recording. The recordings and selector elements corresponding thereto many conveniently be numbered to 99. The selector may be operated by means of a dial which is adapted, when operated in the usual manner to transmit a train of impulses, the number depending upon the number dialed. To prevent accidental selection, it is preferred to transmit three impulses when the number 0 is dialed, four impulses when the number 1 is dialed and so forth. The selector comprises a selector arm which is adapted to cooperate with any of the one hundred selector elements which are arranged in an arc. Each of the first train of impulses moves the actuator through ten spaces of the selector elements. Each of the second train of impulses moves the actuator one spacing between the selector elements. The arrangement is such that two trains of three impuieses bring the actuator to the first selector element. This results from dialing '00. If the number 99 is dialed the actuator is brought into alignment with the last selector element and if any intermediate num beer is dialed the actuator is brought into alignment with the corresponding selector element.

In the selector of the application referred to the units impulses control the actuation of an electromagnetic relay which step the actuator one spacing on each energization. Each decade impulse must control the movement of the actu ator through ten spaces. Each decade impulse controls an escape-meant which permitted the structure carrying the actuator to move through these ten spacings under the influence of a spring. On reset the spring was tensioned by a motor.

In order to prevent accidental selection by two series of accidental impulses the selector ele= ments were arranged in an arc and the actuator could not be brought into alignment with any selector element unless the two accidental trains comprised four decade impulses and at least one units impulse or three decade impulses and at least three units impulses. The electromag netic means responsive to the two trains of impulses is arranged to respond only to trains of impulses having a fairly critical timing and the chance of four or three accidental impulses oocurring in proper timed relation is inflnitesimally small and in practice is absolutely zero.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a greatly simplified selector of this general type in which the stepping of the actuator by both decades and units impulses is eifected by simple electromagnetic means such as a solenoid or relay thus avoiding the necessity of a. motor and simplifying and reducing the time of the reset operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selector of this general type in which the means for actuating the actuator to displace a selector element is maintained inoperative until the decade train of at least the minimum number of impulses is received.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selector of this general type in which the means for actuating the actuator to displace a selector element is maintained inoperative until 9. units train of at least the minimum number of im-.-

pulses is received.

It may here be noted that these two features, or either of them enables the selector, elements to be located around a complete circle.

A further object of the invention is to provide,

improved means for returning the selector to zero or normal condition in the event that only a decade train, accidental or otherwise is received by the selector.

A further object of the invention is to provide;

a modification in which the selector automatically resets itself after a decade train only-is received and actuates one of the selector ments to control the playing of one recording.

Other objects, advantages, and capabilities oi! the invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. l is an elevational view, partly in section of the selector and associated phonograph els merits I Fig. 2 is aninverted plan view, part of the framework being broken away;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the decade.

stepper and associated elements as viewed on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan detail showing cla merits associated with the decade stepper, part shown in Fig. 2 being omitted for the sake of clarity;'

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional detail view taken on the line 5-6 of Fig. 2 and showing the reset relay and associated elements;

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan detail view taken on the line c t of Fig. 5;

Fig. "I is an inverted plan detail sectional view taken on the line 1-l of Fig. 5, certain elements being omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of elements associated with the unit stepper, as viewed from the under side;

Fig. 9 is an inverted plan detail view taken on the line ss of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a detail view as viewed in Fig. 1 parts being omitted to show the switch assembly;

Fig. 11 is an inverted plan detail view taken on the line ll--Ii of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is arwiring diagram, and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary wiring diagram illustrating a modification.

Referring to the drawings reference numerals indicate selector bars each of which individually corresponds to a recording on the phonograph. In the embodiments illustrated there are 100 bars 20. Upward displacement of any bar 20 as viewed in Fig. 1 results in putting the phonograph into operation to reproduce the corresponding recording. Any number oi the bars 2|! may be displaced upwardhr with the result that the phonograph plays all the corresponding recordings. The bars 20 are mounted in a stationary frame 2! which includes parallel plates 22, 23, and 24 provided with aligned openings through which the bars 20 may move longitudinally. Each bar is provided notches 2i and 28 which are engaged by a resilient annulus 21 which may suitably be a ring of relatively weak coiled spring; The coiled spring 21 is confined between the annular plate 24 and a parallel annular plate 2 which may suitably be of insulating material. The plates 22, 28, 2|, and 24 are held in assembly relation by means of bolts 20 and associated spacers 30. When the bars 2! are in their normal position the spring 21 engages the notches 2|. When a bar 20 is moved upwardly the spring 21 seats in its notch 2| so that the bar is held in upwardly displaced position until it is pushed down.

The bars 20 may be associated with a phonegraph of the type referred to in the application mentioned above. Each bar 20 is grounded and when it is displaced upwardly the projection 31 carried by each bar engages an insulated ring 32. The ring 32 is connected to the phonograph motor 83, which is connected to a source of power such as the secondary of transformer 24, the other end of the secondary being grounded. It will thus be seen that when any bar 20 is displaced upwardly to selecting position the phonograph motor II is put into operation. A switch 38 arranged in parallel with the contacts 3| and I2 is arranged to be closed by the motor ll after it is put into operation. This switch is arranged to be opened momentarily during the next record changing cycle of the phonograph so that ii no bar 20 is up at that time the phonograph motor 83 ceases to operate. when the motor 33 is put into operation it tends to drive a shaft assembly 28 through at least a complete revolution. The assembly 26 carries a projection 31 which is arranged to engage the upper end of an actuated bar 20. The drive of the shaft 38 from the motor 33 is frictional so that the assembly I6 is arrested by en gagement of its projection 31 with the actuated bar. The position of the shaft assembly 38 determines the recording to be played which recording, of course, corresponds to the arresting bar 20. After the selection has been thus determined a plunger 3! is automatically actuated to press the arresting bar 20 back to normal position. This occurs after the switch I! closes so that the phonograph motor it continues to operate until the corresponding recording has been completely reproduced. Thercupon the phonograph goes into its record changing cycle and in this cycle the switch 35 is opened. If no other bar 20 is in actuated position the phonograph motor stops. If any other bar or bars 20 is or are in actuated position the motor 33 continues to operate until all the corresponding recordings have been reproduced, whereupon the opening of the switch 35 finally terminates the operation of the phonograph.

The bars 20 are pushed upwardly by an actuator arm on 39 which is pivotly mounted at 4| on a table 4|. This table is rigidly secured to a shaft 42 in axial alignment with the center of the circular series of bars 20. The table 4| carries guide means 43 which accurately locate the outer end of the arm 39 so that it registers with the bars 20. The arm 39 is biased downwardly by a spring 44. The arm 39 carries an armature 45 which is arranged to be attracted by an electromagnet 46 mounted on the plate 23. The armature 45 is preferably in the form of a disc so that the arm 38 may be moved upwardly" with equal force by the magnet 46 irrespective of the direction in which the bar 39 is located. The insulating ring 28 carries a metal contact ring 41 which is adapted to be engaged by the resilient contact arm 48 when the arm 39 is moved upwardly. The contacts 41 and 48 constitute the switch 48 hereinafter referred to.

The shaft 42 is rotatably supported in suitable hearings in a sub-i'rame I50, which is part of the frame 2|. The sub-Ironic 50 supports the decade relay ii, the units relay 52 and the reset relay 53 which control the various positions oi! the arm 38.

The decade relay M is a solenoid which actuates a bar 54 moving it to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 each time the relay 5! is energized. The bar 54 is biased towards the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 by means of a spring 55 which abuts against a washer l6 at the end of the barand against a guide bracket 51 mounted on the subdrame B0. The bar 54 carries rack teeth 58 which mesh with the teeth of a pinion 59 mounted on the shaft 42 for free rotation. Consequently, each time the relay Ii is energized the gear 59 rotates part of a revolution in the clockwise direction as viewed from above (countevclockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4) and then returns to initial position owing to the action of the spring 55. The bar 54 carries a contact 50 which engages an insulated contact II each time the relay 51 is energized. The con tacts B0 and SI constitute a switch 62 hereinafter referred to. The shaft 42 is biased in the counterdirection as viewed from above {clock wise direction as viewed in Fig. 2) by means of a spring 63 one end of which is anchored to the sun-frame 50, the other end being secured to a disc 84 rigidly mounted on the shaft 42. A stop 65 dependhig from the table H is arranged to engage a pin 66 projecting upwardly from an arm 87 freely mounted on the shaft 42 above the sub frame 50. The arm El is arranged to engage stops BB and B9 projecting upwardly from the subframe 50. When the reset relay 531s energized the dogs holding the shaft 42 away from normal pooltion are disengaged in manner hereinafter described with the result that the spring 53 rotates the shaft 42 in counter-c1ockwise direction as viewed from. above (clockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and ti) until the pin 65 engages the pin and carries the arm Bl around until it engages the rigid pin 89. which thus determines the initial or aeea-iss zero position or the actuator 88. A weak coil spring 18' connected to the arm 81 and to the subirame 88 causes the arm to follow the stop 88 as the table 4| moves away from its zero position until the arm engages the stop 88.

The disc 88 carries an upwardly directed pin 18 which is arranged to engage an arm H extending radially from a disc 12 'Ireely mounted on the shaft 42. The arm H is arranged to engage the depending end of a lever 18 pivotally mounted on the sub-frame 88. The sub-frame 88 carries stops 18 for the lever 13. The lever 18 controls the switches 18 and 18. In the zero position of the actuator 88 the pin 18 is in engagement with the arm II which in turn is in engagement with the lever 13 so that the switch 15 is open and the switch 18 is closed. These switches are constituted by three poles 11, 18, and 18. The pole 18 is biased towards the poles 11 and 18. The pole 11 is biased more strongly towards the pole 18. In the zero position of the actuator 88 the lever 18 holds the pole 11 away from the pole 18 so that the switch 18 is open and the switch 18 is closed. when the pin 18 is moved away from the arm H by the first actuation of the decade relay the switch 18 is closed and immediately thereafter the pole 11 moves the pole 18 away from the pole 18' so that the switch 18 is open, a condition shown in Fig. 11. These switches retain this condition until the reset relay 88 is energized to permit the shaft 42 and actuator 88 to return to normal position, when the switch 18 closes and immediately thereafter the switch 18 opens. A normally open switch I83 is associated with the switch 18 to close simultaneously with the switch 15.

The reset relay 88 is a solenoid whose armature 88 is biased outwardly by a spring 8|. The ar mature 88 is connected to a. bar 82. llifhen the reset relay is energized the bar 82 moves to the right as viewed in Figs. and I and a spring biased latch 83 looks the armature in. The latch 88 is pivotally supported on a bracket 88 carried by a. bracket 81 on the sub-frame 88. The bar 82 carries a pin 88 which projects upwardly through an opening in the transverse portion of an inverted U-shaped lever 88. The lever 88 is pivotally mounted at intermediate positions of its legs on. the bracket 81 carried by the sub= frame 88. The ends of the U-shaped lever 86 engage shoulders 88 on a horizontal slider 88. The slider is mounted on a horizontal part of the bracket 81 by means of headed screws 8i which extend through slots 82 in the slider 88. A spring 88 connected to the slider 88 and to an element rigid with the sub-frame 88 biases the shoulders 88 of the slider 88 against the depend ing ends oi the U-shaped lever 88. It will be readily seen in Fig. 5 that when the reset relay 88 is energized or when its armature is locked in the U-shaped lever 88 is in its dotted line position in Fig. 5 and the slider 88 is projected to the left as viewed in Figs. 5 audit. When it is thus projected into the dotted line position of Fig. 6 it engages a roller 84 on the tail of a, dog 88. The dog 88 is pivotly mounted on. a toothed segment 88 and the dog 85 is biased by a spring 81 towards engagement with a ratchet wheel 88. The spacing of the teeth on the ratch ct wheel 88 is 86 so that each tooth space corre sponds to a ten step movement of the actuator 88. The ratchet wheel 88 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 82. The sector 88 is loose on the shaft and is biased by a spring 88 towards its normal position shown in Fig. 2 which is defined by em gagernent of a stop I88 on the sector with the sub-frame 88. The inner end of the slider 88 Fig. 6 is of accurate formation so that it is efiective to engage the roller 84 and disengage the dog 88 from the ratchet wheel 88 in any po sition in which the sector 88 may be located during operation. p

The armature I8I of the units relay 52 is ar ranged to engage the sector 88 and move it one tooth at a time in the clockwise direction as viewed from above (counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2). The tooth spacing on the sector 88 corresponds to the angular relation between the bars 28 so that energization of the units relay 52 effects movement of the actuator 88 from a position beneath one bar 28 to a position beneath the next bar 28. When the units relay 82 is operating the teeth of the sector 88 are engaged by a dog I82. In the normal or zero condition of the device the dog I82 is latched out by a latch member I88 which is pivotly mounted on the sub-=frame 58 and is arranged to engage a shoulder I88 on the dog I82. A spring I88 biases the dog I82 towards the teeth of the sector 88 and a spring I86 biases the latch I83 towards latching position. A rod I81 on the armature of the relay 82 is arranged to engage a pin I88 on the latch I83 in such manner that when the units relay is'energized the dog I88 is moved to unlatching position. (Jonsequently, the first units impulse milatches the dog I82 so that the sector 88 is held against return movement during receipt of the units impulses.

The slider 88 carries a, downwardly projecting pin I88 which is arranged to engage the up turned end M8 on the tail of the dog I82. Con" seouently, when the reset relay 88 is energized and the slider 88 is moved to the left as viewed in Figs. 5 and 8 the pin I88 moves the tail of the dog I82 away from the teeth of the sector 88 at the same time that the slider disengages the dog 88 from the ratchet wheel 88. Consequently, the shaft 82 and the actuator 88 are ireed and are returned to their normal position by the spring 58. The armature'oi the reset relay is locked in by the latch 88 so that the dogs 88 and I82 are held in inoperative position until they are released by the first actuation of the decade relay 5| and the first actuation of the units re lay 52, respectively.

The pinion 88 which is oscillated by the decade relay is provided with an upwardly directed prcjectiou III (Figs. 5 and 1) which is arranged to engage the latch 83 allowing the bar 82 to move outwardly. This movement swings the U-shaped lever 88 so as to move the slider 88 from its dottedposition in Fig. 8 to its full line position in that figure. This movement permits the dog 88 to engage operatively the ratchet;v wheel 88 as shown in full lines in that figure. The pinion 88 is provided with a downwardly directed projection H2 which is adapted to engage the upturned and 858 of an arm Ill freely mounted on the shaft 88. The arm Iii is biased in the counter clcclowise direction as viewed from above (clockwise as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4;) by means of a spring M8. The engwement oi the upturned end lit with the projection of it? serves as a stop tor the arm lid. A don i it pivotly zinounted on the arm lid is arranged to cooperate the ratchet wheel 88. The dog is biased towards the ratchet wheel by means of a spring it? but is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 88 by engagement of a stop 51 -rried by the dog Hi8 and arranged to cooperate with a sta tionary guide member H9. It will readily be seen in Fig. 2 that when the decade relay 5| is energized the arm H4 is swung around in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in that figure and the stop II8 runs of! the guide member II9 so that the point of the dog II6 moves towards the ratchet wheel 90 and carries it one tooth in the counter-clockwise direction (clockwise as viewed from above). The final position of the dog H6 is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. It is to be noted that the dog in this final position engages an abutment I20 which limits the movement of the dog and the ratchet wheel to one tooth.

A switch I2I is associated with the armature I 0| of the units relay 62 so that this switch is closed during each units impulse.

As the actuator arm 99 is stepped around the arm 61 follows the stop 65 until the arm 91 strikes the stop 69 on the sub-frame 00. The arm 61 rigidly carries a spring contact arm I24 which normally engages the larger of two segments I25 and I26 which are mounted on a piece of insulation I21 carried by the sub-frame 90. The segments I25 and I26 are separated by a small gap and are connected in a manner hereinafter described. It may here be noted that ii the actuator 29 is moved 99 spaces of the bars 20 from initial position the contact arm I24 engages the segment I26. A larger displacement of the actuator 99 leaves the contact arm I24 in engagement with the segment I26 because the arm 01 ceases to follow the actuator arm when it engages the stop 09. The contact arm I24 is ini tially in engagement with the segment I20 and It remains in such engagement if the actuator 99 is displaced 32 or less spacings of the bars 20 from its initial position.

A bell crank lever I20 is pivotly mounted on. the sub-frame 00, one end of the lever extending above the sector 99 for a distance equivalent to almost three toothed spaces on the sector. The lever I20 holds a switch I29 open and a switch I90 closed. The lever I20 is normally held out of engagement with the sector 96 by its engagement with a cam surface I9I on the dog I02, this cam surface being arranged to engage the lever I20 when the dog is moved to latched out position. When the dog I02 is unlatched by the first actuatlon of the units relay 52 the cam surface I9I is moved away from the lever I28 so that this lever is forced against the upper side of the sector 90 by the leaves of the switches I29 and I30. 0n the third units impulse the sector 96 clears the end of the lever I20 so that switch I90 opens and switch I29 closes. The switches main in this condition until the reset relay 59 is again energized whereupon the cam surface "I on the dog I02, in moving to unlatched tion, engages the lever I20 openin switch I29 and closing switch I90 and bringing the other end of the lever above the normal position of the sector 96 which returns to its normal position as a result of the disengagement of the sector teeth by the dog I02.

The selector is energized by a transformer I92. The secondary I99 provides heater current for the tubes I94, I95 and I96. The tubes I35 and I90 are gas tetrodes and may suitably be 2051. tubes. Their anodes are connected to the ends of the secondary I91, the center tap of which is connected to the pole 19 common to the two switches 15 and 19.

The secondary I90 has its opposite ends connected to the anodes of a full wave rectifier tube I99, The center tap of the secondary I99 is connectcd to line I40. The cathode of the tube I is heated by a secondary I. The cathode is connected through a choke coil I42 to a line I49. Opposite ends of the choke coil I42 are connected through condensers I44 to the line I40 to establish a filter. The conductors I49 and I40 are grounded through resistors I40 and I46 which may suitably have values of 4,800 ohms and 1,200 ohms. The resistor I49 is a voltage divider the arm of which is connected to the line I41. The power supply is arranged to provide 250 volts positive on the line I49 and about minus 34 volts on line I41.

The secondary I40 is connected to the reset relay 59 and to one side of the normally open switch I 49. The other side of the reset relay 09 is connected to the ungrounded side of the switch 49 and to one side of a normally open switch I00. Switches I49, I00 and a normally open switch I04 are controlled by a relay IiI. The other side of the switch I49 is connected to one side of the electromagnet 46, the other side of which is connected to one side of the normally open switch I29. The other side of the switch IE0 is connected to the segment I20 and to one side of the normally closed switch I90. The other side of the switch I29 is connected to the sement I20. The other side of the switch I90 and the contact arm I24 are grounded.

One side or the relay I9I is connected to the line I41 and to a condenser I92 which may suitably be a two microiarad condenser. The condenser I52 is connected to the common pole of the normally closed switch I09 and the normally open switch I54. The other side of the switch I59 is connected to the other side of the relay III and the other side of the switch IE4 is connected through a limiting resistor I00, suitably of ohms, to the line I49. It will readily be understood that when switch I94 is closed the condenser I52 is charged and that when the switch I 09 is closed the condenser I52 is discharged through the relay ISI, momentarily closing switches I49, I50 and I04. A condenser I00 has one side connected to one side or the normally open switch I51, to the common pole of the normally closed switch I50 and normally open switch I59 and to one side of the switch I04. The other side or the condenser I60 is connected to one side of the switch I89, the other side of which is grounded. The other side of the switch I04 is connected to the line I49. The line I41 is connected through a limiting resistor I90, which may suitably be 100 ohms to the other side of the switch I5'I.' The line I49 is connected to the other side of the switch I09, to one side or a transfer relay IBI and to one side of a relay I02. The other side of the relay I BI is connected to the ungroundcd side of the switch 02 and the other side of the relay I02 is connected to the ungrounded side of the switch H2. The relay III is a slow release relay which remains energized "when the decade relay 5| is receiving a series of impulses, repeatedly closing the switch 92. The relay I62 is also a slow release relay which remains energised when the units relay 02 is receivmg a series of impulses, repeatedly closing the switch H2. Consequently, during the reception of decade impulses a normally open swit h "3 1; closed. a y closed switch I60 is opened, a y open switch I09 is closed, a normally closed switch I 84 is opened and normally open switch I60 is closed. The common role or the assume v switches I64 and N35 is connected to the pole 11 of the switch I5. The other side of the switch I64 is connected to the ungrounded side of the relay 52. The other side of the switch I65 is connected to the pole 18 of the switch 16 and to the ungrounded side of the relay The other side of the switch i 58 is connected through a resistor 166 which may suitably be a ten megohrn resistor, to a line I61. One side of the switch I63 is also connected to the line I61. The other side of the switch 863 is connected to a line I66. The line I68 is connected through a resistor I69 which may be a 33,000 ohm resistor to the line I41. The line I68 is connected to the-ungrounded side of a condenser I which may be a ten microfarad condenser. The resistor I69 and the condenser I10 constitute a filter for remov ing the ripple from the bias voltage supplied to the tubes I35 and I36. The line I68 is also connected to one side of a normally open switch I1 i, the other side of which is connected to the line I61. The line I68 is connected to the line I61 by a limiting resistor I12, which may be a 100 ohm resistor, and a five megohm resistor W3. A one microfarad condenser I14 is con nected across the resistor I13.

The switches i53, I54, I" and I51 are con= trolled by the slow release relay I62. fionse quently, when units impulses are being received by the relay 5'2 switch i53 is open and switches I54, I1! and I57 are closed. At the termination of the units impulses the switches resume their normal condition.

The line I61 is connected through a 150,000 ohm resistor I15 to a line I16 which is con= nected through 120,000 ohm resistors ill and I16 to the control grids of the tubes I35 and The cathodes and screen grids of these tubes are grounded. The line W6 is connected to the ungrounded side of a switch i'iQ which is actu ated by a dial i530. This dial is arranged so that if c is dialed the switch i 19 closes three times, if 1 is dialed the switch i 19 closes four times and so on. It is to be understood that any other signaling means for effectually increasing the grid bias or" the tubes I35 and 136 for a desired number of times may be employed irrstead of the dial I80 and switch. I19. This result can be accomplished by means of radio frequency impulses supplied to the radio fre quency transformer iti. The secondary of the transformer i8! is connected to the anodes of the rectifying tube 534 which may be a 6H6 tube. The rectified current is filtered by the filter i8? and the rectified positive voltage is applied to the line I 76.

Normally the voltage on the grids of the tubes H5 and I36 is about minus thirty volts. When the switch l'lii is closed the grid voltage is increased above the flash point of the tubes, which is about minus seven volts. Likewise when an impulse of radio frequency is applied to the tube i34 the voltage of the grids increases so as to cause the tubes I35 and ifiil to flash. Each time the tubes i35 and i36 flash direct current is supplied to the common pole iii of the switches 15 and 16. Normally the selector is actuated by two trains of impulses, the first train bein the decade impulses and the second train being the units impulses. The first decade impulse is supplied to the decade relay 55 through the switch 16. The first decade im= pulse consequently closes the switch 62 energiz ing the relay ISI and closing the switch I655.

The first'energization of the relay 5! effects a 7 movement oi": the e t distance corresponc to ten spaces of the bars 20 and results in the closing of the switch it and the opening of the switch it. Consequently, the second and subsequent decade irn pulses are supplied to the decade relay 5! through closed switches and. f/lien the decade impulses terminate the switch 62 re mains open and the relay is deei'iergized. The switch 55 opens and the switch closes. During the first decade impulse the sun closed discharging the condenser lid and provid ing a direct connection between the line lilll and I61. Consequently at the end of the first and the succeeding decade impulses the grids oi the tubes I35 and E36 immediately attain their normal bias and the impulses supplied to the decade relay iii are properly terminated. During the decade impulses the condenser E56 becomes charged.

The next train of impulses, the units train are supplied to the units relay 52 through the closed switches 16 and I64. This train repeatedly closes the switch H2 and maintains the relay 562 energized. The timely receipt of the first units impulse disciiarges the condenser through the resistor I60 and closed switch During the receipt oi the first units impulse and during the reception oi. the subsequent units irn pulses the condenser W3 and resistor We are shunted by the switch ill so that the flashes oi. the tubes N35 and iiiti are correctly terminated. During the reception of the units impulses the switch I5fl is closed and the condenser 852 is charged. At the termination of the units illi pulses the switch I53 is closed and the condenser $52 is discharged through the relay llii closing the switches its and 960. If the selector has been thus actuated by two trains of at least minimum number of impulses, that is three or more impulses in each train the contact ill; is grounded, the switch 630 is opened and the switch M9 is closed. Consequently, the circuit of the eiectromagnet it is completed by the closing the switch I69 and the bar 20 corresponding to the two trains is displaced. EnergiZ-ation of the electromagnet 46 closes the switch 49 energizing the relay 53 so that the mechanical part of the selector is returned to zero or normal condition leaving the selected bar 20 displaced.

During the decade impulses the condenser is charged through the closed switch its. at termination of the decade impulses the condenser iiiii discharges slowly through switch i556, resistor M6 and R. C. circuit H3, Ild. This circuit is a time delay circuit in which the condenser ill; is slowly charged up until the voltage on the line till builds up to cause the tubes i and to flash. As a result oi this flash a single impulse is transmitted through switch and switch to the relay 52 displacing the sector 36 one tooth momentarily closing switch ill. The relay Ii is energized once. The condenser 152 is charged and is immediately discharged through the relay Hill. The switch its is open and the switch is closed because three units impulses were not received. The circuit oi the reset relay is completed through the momentarily closed switch 650 and the closed switch iilii so that the selector is returned to normal or zero condition. Since the switch lid is open the electromagnet ill is not energized and no bar is displaced. Thus if the operator dials merely one train and does not dial a second train, the selector is cleared till through an angular and put into condition for the reception oi a properly dialed section. Likewise it the decade relay II is actuated one or more times accidentally by surges received by the transformer ill. the selector is brought to zero or normal condition by the single pulse automatically provided by the discharge oi the condenser i" through the time delay circuit ill, i II. The period of time elapsing before the generation of the automatic pulse is controlled by the values of the elements I" and ill and the associated elements in the circuit. The specific values given are intended for a three second period and are particularly adapted for a device which autolnatically transmits two trains. Such an impulse transmitter is described and claimed in the copending application Ser. No. 561,984, iiled November 4, 1944. This period can however be reatly increased for use with a dial, such as the dial ill to provide a greater permissible time between the consecutive operation of the dial to -transmit acompiete selecting signal.

A short accidental surge on the line may close the switch 02 without displacing the actuator it or opening switches 10 or closing switch I". In this event the condenser I" is not charged because its charging circuit is open at switch Ill. But if the accidental surge is suiiiciently long the actuator is may be moved and the switch is may e opened and switch it: closed. The energization of the relay Iii closes the switch ill, charging the condenser m. The discharge of the condenser causes the tubes I38 and Ill to dash su plying an impulse to the relay I! with the result that the relays ll! and Ill and the reset relay II are energized so that the actuatmil is returned to normal position and switch II is closed and switch I" is opened. Each time the relay Ill is energized, that is after the relay I! has received a units series of impulses or after it has received an automatic impulse, the switch "I isclosed and the switch I is mo- Inentarily closed so-that the condenser in is charged. Normally the reset relay is is enerlined so that the actuator It returns to its normal osition and the switch I" is opened break ing the discharge circuit of the condenser I". But if the reset relay fails to operate sumciently due to momentary low voltage on the power line or other cause the switch I" remains, closed and the condenser III is discharged until the voltlge on the line I" is raised to create another automatic units impulse which does result in the elective energization of the reset relay 53. This operation may be visualized by holding the armature o! the reset relay, and dialling a decado series of impulses. The relay Ill becomes ohergized repeatedly at time intervals depending upon the constants of the R. C. circuit.

In the case of a coin controlled phonograph, in which the operation of the dial III is per- -mitted when a coin is inserted, it is undesirable to clear the selector if the patron fails to dial the second train without reproducing a recording. In this case the dial is arranged to transmit tour impulses when the number is dialed and a greater number of impulses when any other number is dialed. The switches III and III -.and the lever m are omitted. As shown in .I'lg. 13 the electromagnet II is connected directly'to the segment III. A dialed decade signal carries the arm I" over to the segment J. In this case the automatic impulse closes the switch I'll and energizes the clectromagnet 48 so that a bar 20 is actuated. The electromagnet it closes the switch 49 energizing the reset relay 5! so that the selector is returned to zero condition. The possibility of tour or more accidental impulses in properly timed relation to energize the decade relay 5i four or more times like a regular train of decade impulses is infinitely small and in practice is zero. One, two or three accidental impulses in moperly timed relation leaves the contact I on the sector IN. The automatic units pulse closes the switch In and the reset relay ll is energized, its circuit being completed through sector I25 and grounded contact I. No bar 20 is actuated in this case because the circuit of the electromagnet 46 is not complete.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the specific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative oi the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual lecording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one oi said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and means associated with one 01' said stepping means to prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when last mentioned stepping means has received a dc!- inite minimum plurality of impulses.

2. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair oi. stepping means adapted. to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one or said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means ior energizing said electromagnetic means, and means associated with both said stepping means to prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when each stepping means has received a definite minimum plurality of impulses.

3. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a circumierential series of equally spaced displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in aligmnent therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step saidactuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and means associated with one of said stepping means to prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when last mentioned stepping means has received a definite minimum plurality of impulses.

4. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a circumferential series of equally spaced displaceable selector members each correspond-= ing to an individual recording, an actuator ar ranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, elec tromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and means associated with both said stepping means to'prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when each mentioned stepping means has received a definite minimum plurality of impulses.

5. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to movesaid actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned step ping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other steppi g means, switch means controlled by the last mentioned stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and switch means associated with one of said stepping means operable after last mentioned stepping means has received a. definite minhnum plurality of impulses to permit energization of said electromagnetic means.

6. A selector for automatic phcnographs com prising a of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a air of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said so tuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means nor mally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, switch means controlled by the last mentioned stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and switch means associated with each of said stepping means operable after each mentioned stepping means has received a definite minimum plurality of impulses to permit energization of said elec tromagnetic means.

7,. A selector for automatic phonographs comrising a circumferential series or equally spaced displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means be ing adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, a switch controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and a switch in series with said switch and said electromagnetic means arranged to be closed by one of said stepping means when actuated for a definite minimum plurality of times.

8. A selector for automatic phonographs com prising a circumferential series of equally spaced displaceable selector members each corresponding' to an individual recording, an actuator ar ranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally con nected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, a switch controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromag netic means, and a pair of switches in series with said switch and said electromagnetic means, each of said pair of switches being associated with one of the stepping means so as to be closed after the stepping means has been actuated a definite plurality of times.

9. A selector for, automatic phonographs com prising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought int alignment with any one of said displaceable selector memhers, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any or said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means t the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means Ior energizing said electromagnetic means, and time delay means controlled by the stepping means normally connected to the impulse supply means for automatically supplying an impulse to the impulse supply means in the event that a second series of impulses is not supplied to said impulse supply means within a predetermined time.

10. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, electromagnetic means Ior operating said actuator to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair 01' stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any of said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means con trolled by the other stepping means for energiz ing said electromagnetic means, time delay means controlled by the stepping means normally connected to the impulse supply means for automatically supplying an impulse to the impulse supply means in the event that a second series oi impulses is not supplied to said impulse supply means within a predetermined time, and means controlled by the other stepping means for rendering said time delay means inoperative.

11. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, means biassing said actuator to an initial position, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator in any of its positions to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any of said selector members, one 01 said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stcpping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and means controlled by said other stepping means for releasing said actuator for automatic return to its initial position by said biassing means.

12'. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, means biassing said actuator to an initial position, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator in any of its positions to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any of said selector members, oneof said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, means associated with one of said stepping means to prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when last mentioned stepping means has received a definite plurality of impulses, and means controlled by said other stepping means for releasing said actuator for automatic return to its initial position by said biassing means.

13. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, means biasslng said actuator to an initial position, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator in any of its positions to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any of said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and means associated with each stepping means to prevent the energlzation of said electromagnetic means except when each mentioned stepping means has received definite minimum plurality of impulses.

14. A selector for automatic phonograplis comprising a series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, means biassing said actuator to an initial position, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator in any of its positions to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any of said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normally connected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means ior connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, time delay means controlled by the stepping means normally connected to the impulse supply means for automatically supplying an impulse to the impulse supply means in the event that a second series of impulses is not supplied to said impulse supply means within a predetermined time, and means controlled by said other stepping means for releasing said actuator for automatic return to its initial position by said biassing means.

15. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a circumferential series of displaceable selector members each corresponding to an individual recording, an actuator arranged to be brought into alignment with any one of said displaceable selector members, means biassing said actuator to an initial position, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator in any of its positions to displace a selector member in alignment therewith, a pair of stepping means adapted to respond to impulses to step said actuator into alignment with any 01' said selector members, one of said stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through large steps and the other stepping means being adapted to move said actuator through small steps, impulse supply means normallyconnected to one stepping means, means controlled by last mentioned stepping means for connecting said impulse supply means to the other stepping means, means controlled by the other stepping means for energizing said electromagnetic means, means associated with one of said stepping means to prevent the energization of said electromagnetic means except when last mentioned stepping means has received a definite number of impulses, time delay means controlled by the stepping means normally connected to the impulse supply means for automatically supplying an impulse to the impulse supply means in the event that a second series of impulses is not supplied to said impulse supply means within a predetermined time, means controlled by said other stepping means for rendering said time delay means inoperative, and means controlled by said other stepping means for releasing said actuator for automatic return to its initial position by said biassing means.

16. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a selector member adapted to be stepped to a selecting position, a movable structure carrying said selector member, a second movable structure, a dog arranged'operatively to connect said movable members, a stepper adapted to move the first movable member through steps of definite size, a second stepper for moving the second movable member and thereby the first movable member through steps of a different size, a second dog adapted to prevent return movement of the second movable member, a latch for holding the second dog away from the second movable member, means normally supplying impulses to the first stepper, means controlled by the first stepper for connecting the impulse supply means to thesecond stepper, a reset relay, means controlled by the first simmer for rendering the first dog operative, means controlled by the second stepper for unlatching said latch to render the second dog operative, means controlled by the second stepper for energizing the reset relay, the reset relay being arranged to move said dogs to inoperative position, and means for reg urning both movable members to norm P si on.

' 17. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a stepper, means for supplying a series of impulses to said stepper, a second stepper, means for supplying a series of impulses to said stepper, time delay means controlled by the first stepper for actuating the second stepper at an interval after the operation of the first stepper, and means controlled by the second stepper for rendering said time delay means inoperative.

18. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a stepper, means for supplying a series of impulses to said stepper, a second stepper, means for supplying a series of impulses to said stepper, a condenser, means controlled by the first stepper for charging said condenser, an RC circuit connected to said condenser, means controlled by said circuit for supplying an impulse to the second stepper after a time delay, and means controlled by the second stepper for rendering said condenser and circuit inoperative.

19. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a stepper, a second stepper, a condenser, means controlled by the first stepper for charging said condenser, voltage controlled impuls creating means normally connected to the first stepper, means controlled by the first stepper for connecting said impulse creating means to the second stepper, means controlled by the second stepper for connecting said impulse creating means to the first stepper, a time delay RC circuit normally connecting said condenser to the impulse creating means whereby said impulse creating means, is actuated by the discharge of the condenser a definite time after the operation of the firstv stepper, and means controlled by the second stepper for discharging said condenser.

20. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a stepper, a second stepper, a condenser, means controlled by the first stepper for charging said condenser, voltage controlled impulse creating means 'normally connected to the first stepper, means controlled by the first stepper for connecting said impulse creating means to the second stepper, means controlled by the second stepper for connecting said impulse creating means to the first stepper, a. time delay RC circuit normally connecting said condenser to the impulse creating means whereby said impulse creating means is actuated by the discharge of the condenser a definite time after the operation of the first stepper, manuallycontrolled means for operating said impulse creating means to create series of impulses, and means controlled by the second stepper for discharging said condenser.

21. A selector for automatic phonographs adapted to be operated by a pair of series of impulses, comprising a first stepp r, a second stepper, aselector member controlled thereby, a redischarging and immediately thereafter charging said condenser, and means controlled by the reset relay for rendering said time delay means inoperative.

MAHLON W. KENNEY. HERMAN G. JENSEN. 

